Click here to see Rick's Celebrity Photo Gallery

Rick Kelley's American Freedom Series Empowers the Nation
Before September 11th; Rick Kelley was a wildlife artist. After September 11th, Rick Kelley became a wildlife artist with a big mission.

Witnessing the tragedy of September 11th along with the rest of the county, Rick Kelley felt an empty feeling of helplessness and anger. He rose to stand against terror and went to buy the biggest American Flag he could find. Little did he know the rest of his hometown of Chanhassen, Minnesota and people in the surrounding towns had the same idea as he did; there wasn't a flag to be found.

"Just paint your own flag," suggested Rick's wife and co-business owner Shawn Kelley. With this suggestion, Rick went to his easel, searched his creative mental files and remembered an idea he had for years; an American flag camouflaged in a mountain top with two American Bald Eagles flying through the sky.

"It was as if someone else was grabbing a hold of my paint brush," he said. "I normally plan and see everything in my head before and while I paint. I had no idea where this image was going until the last brush stroke was placed." This was the birth of Rick's most important work to date, "On Freedom's Wing" and the beginning of his American Freedom series.

He didn't stop there. Rick knew more could come out of this piece than just a nice image. He contacted the American Red Cross and pledged to the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund ten percent of proceeds from the sales of "On Freedom's Wing." Rick often uses his art in positive ways including donating proceeds of "Kristi's Garden," a piece made specifically to raise money for a little girl battling cancer. Many of his other prints have also raised millions of dollars for Ducks Unlimited.

After pledging to the Red Cross, Rick began letting the world know about his latest creation. Local media got wind of Rick's new piece and aired a story about Rick donating ten percent of proceeds of "On Freedom's Wing" to the American Red Cross. Rick and his wife were about to go out for the evening when the story aired. They thought they would watch the story and then leave; however, the phone began ringing immediately and literally didn't stop for days. The response was so overwhelming that they had to hire outside help to answer phones and fulfill the thousands of orders flooding their home office. The donation to the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund will total $70,000 by September 11th, 2002.

"In my 30 years as an artist, I have never seen such a huge emotional response to any art print," says Rick. Many individuals proudly display "On Freedom's Wing" in their homes including notable public figures like former President George Bush Sr., actor Joe Montagna and Major General Joe Engle. Art galleries across the country are also proud to carry the piece. "There have been so many pieces out since 9/11, but this one really struck me...It's so real," says Marylyn Jackson of Federal Galleries in Neptune, Florida.

Rick didn't want to begin and end with "On Freedom's Wing." He decided if he made this the first in a series of three, he could help more people and inspire more confidence and American pride in all who have the first piece in their homes. Rick then started to paint "Liberty's Flight." This piece is a continuation of the same mountain range from the first and embedded in the mountains is a representation of the Statue of Liberty. Soaring through the sky is an American Bald Eagle. This is Rick's homage to New York City's strength and endurance.

"Liberty's Flight" is donned in the homes of thousands of patriotic art lovers as well as helping out the Todd M. Beamer Foundation. Ten percent of net proceeds will be donated to the foundation made in memory of Todd Beamer, one of many passengers of United flight 93 who boldly gave his own life by rising against terrorist actions. The foundation helps the children of the victims of September 11th. Sales are expected to raise at least a $10,000 donation by September 11th, 2003.

The Todd Beamer Foundation will also be the recipient of ten percent of net proceeds of the third piece in Rick Kelley's American Freedom series. It is called "Reflections of Freedom." Placed on the right side of "On Freedom's Wing," and continuing again the mountain range, this piece shows two rays of light coming from the sky, symbolizing God or a higher power approving of how America pulled together to create something positive out of such a harsh tragedy; namely the rays of light sent up from where the Twin Towers once stood. The bottom portion of "Reflections of Freedom" reflects in a mountain lake the color of the peaks and sunlight forming the image of an American flag.

"This series has become the most important project of my career. I am thankful everyday that I am able to give something to people that makes them feel good and at the same time helping those in need," expresses Rick.

All three prints of the American Freedom series are available by calling 1-800-949-4945 or by visiting www.KelleyFineArt.com. Prints start at only $20.00.

© Copyright 2002 Kelley Fine Art Publishing. All Rights Reserved.